ELLESMERE Port traffic police are investigating a town centre crash which has left one local man dead.

The accident occurred at just after 10pm on Monday in Whitby Road at its junction with Princes Road and Cromwell Road.

A metallic Mercedes driven by a 60-year-old man from Ellesmere Port collided first with a Vauxhall Astra driven by a 19-year-old Suffolk man before hitting a second Astra which was being used as a private hire vehicle.

The Mercedes overturned and the driver, who has not yet been named, was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Two women passengers and the driver of the taxi were left shocked but otherwise unhurt in the collision, while the driver of the first Astra suffered minor injuries.